VH1 asks, who wants to be a telenovela star?

Lifestyle cable network VH1 is beefing up its reality slate, ordering an eight-episode series featuring aspiring telenovela stars.

The network also has ordered new installments of "Celebrity Fit Club" and "ego trip's The (White) Rapper Show" -- both of which will feature a twist.

In "Viva Hollywood!" 12 bilingual Latino and Latina contestants will learn the "7 Deadly Sins of Telenovelas" -- passion, lust, charisma, drama, fire, seduction and scandal -- in order to impress the judges: actress-singer Maria Conchita Alonso and singer-songwriter Carlos Ponce. Astrologer Walter Mercado will give the contestants guidance.

The winner will land a role on a telenovela airing on Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo, management representation, and a $100,000 prize. The hour-long series premieres in the spring.

"Fit Club's" sixth season, currently in production also for a spring premiere, will star former cast members competing with a new group of celebrities. Returning cast members Tina Yothers, Willie Aames, model Toccara Jones and Dustin Diamond comprise one team, while comedienne Sommore, Brian Dunkleman, Erin Moran and A.J. Benza comprise the other.

The follow-up to "Rapper," titled "ego trip's Miss Rap Supreme," will feature a search for the next great female MC. Rapper MC Serch will return to host "Miss Rap Supreme," which just wrapped production and also is set for spring. Female rapper Yo Yo is set to co-host.

This year, VH1 has launched 18 unscripted series or specials averaging at least 1 million viewers. Topping that list are "I Love New York's" first and second seasons (3.9 million and 3.7 million season-to-date, respectively), "Charm School" (3.3 million) and "Rock of Love With Bret Michaels" (2.5 million, with the finale drawing 5.4 million to become the second-most-watched VH1 telecast ever).

By Kimberly NordykeMon
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter